Nanny: In the wee hours of the morning, a troop of nannies will eagerly gather at your doorstep. Yes, you read that right, they come to you! Your family's schedule is the compass guiding their timely arrival. This arrangement proves to be a splendid convenience for parents, as "hours of operation" are entirely dictated by your family's needs and preferences.
Daycare: Getting your young children ready for daycare can often prove to be a challenging endeavor. The sheer number of things to keep in mind is staggering � diapers, bottles, medications, spare clothes, pacifiers, beloved blankets, bibs, spoons, and so on. Wouldn't it be ideal if you could simply carry your entire home with you to ensure you don't overlook anything? Well, with the help of a nanny, that possibility becomes a reality.
ILLNESS
Nanny: While we all yearn to support our children during their moments of illness, it is not always feasible. Fortunately, nannies possess extensive knowledge of comforting little ones through common ailments such as runny noses and upset stomachs. Consequently, parents can fulfill their work obligations with the peace of mind that their nanny will provide the indispensable care until everyone recovers fully.
Daycare: "Mrs. Jones, I apologize, but it appears that little Timmy is unwell once again. Could you kindly come and pick him up promptly?" It is true; daycares often struggle to adequately care for children who are not feeling their best. This can undoubtedly pose challenges for parents who must abruptly interrupt their activities to retrieve their little ones from the daycare facility.
ACTIVITIES
Nanny: Are you aware of the activities you want your children to engage in throughout the day? Wonderful! Communicate your desires and expectations to your nanny, and she will prioritize fulfilling them. Is your little one in need of assistance with letter recognition, writing their name, reading out loud, or potty training? You get to decide the daily routine you want to be followed for your child's day.
Daycare: At daycare, the daily schedule is predetermined and structured in advance. It becomes challenging for them to cater to the specific needs of your child as they typically have a large class, often exceeding 25 students per classroom. Regrettably, it is extremely difficult to request or specify the exact activities you wish for your child to engage in throughout the day at daycare.
OUTSIDE ACTIVITIES
Nanny: Are you fortunate enough to have a favorite park nearby that your family loves? Are your neighbors blessed with children who are the same age as yours? Are you interested in facilitating play dates for your little ones within your community? Excellent! Your nanny is capable of coordinating all of these activities for you! Numerous nannies in Virginia have established networks with other nannies in the area. As a result, they can easily organize play dates and accompany the children to local attractions such as parks, zoos, libraries, and museums. This way, your little ones can enjoy themselves to the fullest while also learning valuable lessons.
Daycare: While it is necessary to limit outdoor play to the playground, this restriction may limit the introduction of new activities. Moreover, it poses risks for children, as the playground may be overcrowded and not adequately supervised. In such instances, the teacher-to-child ratios often fall short of ensuring the safety of your little ones, leaving them vulnerable to common accidents like bumps, bruises, or even biting incidents.
SIBILING INTERACTION
Nanny: Having a nanny come to your home offers an exceptional advantage - the opportunity for your children to spend quality time together! This not only strengthens the bond and closeness between siblings but also enhances their relationship further.
Daycare: Daycares have a compelling rationale for separating children by age, and it is done for very good reasons. It is primarily a safety measure and a practical approach when supervising a considerable number of children simultaneously. However, it is undeniably unfortunate that your children have to spend the entire day in the same facility and not get a chance to see each other.
CALL YOUR CHILDREN
Nanny: Isn't it lovely to gaze out the window and witness the graceful descent of snowflakes? Shall we give your little one a ring and inform them to take a peek outside? How delightful! Your nanny will remain readily available throughout the day, ensuring uninterrupted contact with your children. Did your little one have a noteworthy occasion at the Gymboree? Consider reaching out and inquiring about their experience! Children absolutely adore it when Mommy and Daddy make the effort to call and speak with them!
Daycare: It is not feasible for you to contact your young children while they are at preschool. Typically, preschool classrooms do not have individual telephones, and doing so may disrupt ongoing activities. Regrettably, due to the usual size of classrooms, it would be highly inconvenient for the Directors to permit parents to have conversations with their children throughout the day simply to exchange greetings.
ONE ON ONE ATTENTION
Nanny: When it comes to engaging with your children, your nanny offers a wide range of activities tailored specifically to your family. From playing blocks and coloring, to baking a cake, reading a book, and singing; every activity is thoughtfully individualized. This personalized attention holds immense value and can greatly contribute to your little one's educational and cognitive development.
Daycare: It can confidently be stated that pre-school teachers have the potential to be outstanding! They possess a genuine affection for offering the individualized care and attention that your children undoubtedly yearn for. However, regrettably, this often becomes unattainable due to their overwhelming workload, managing numerous students simultaneously, which restricts the availability of ample time.
HOMEWORK HELP
Nanny: Are you ever faced with the challenge of managing the never-ending stream of paperwork that your child brings home from school? From various activities, fundraisers, upcoming parties, school conferences, projects, and homework, parents can feel overwhelmed trying to navigate through it all after a tiring day at work. A common solution for many parents is to ask their nanny to handle the time-consuming task of sorting through the information and keeping Mom and Dad updated on all school-related matters. This way, parents can have peace of mind knowing that they won't miss anything important in the chaos of their daily lives.
Daycare: Despite being enjoyable for children, after school programs may not align with the educational goals and structure you desire for your kids to consistently complete their homework after school. As a result, their homework may be delayed until after dinner. It is important to acknowledge that after dinner, fatigue can set in, making it difficult to concentrate, particularly as the evening progresses.
VACATION NANNY
Nanny: Have you ever found yourself in need of a break even after taking a vacation? Absolutely - it's a feeling we can all relate to! It's truly a luxury when you have the opportunity to bring your nanny along on your trip. This way, you can enjoy precious moments with your children, while also having the flexibility to indulge in activities on your own and find some well-deserved relaxation.
Daycare: When you take a vacation, it is common for daycares to require payment for reserving your spot, meaning you will be paying for childcare without being able to utilize it.